I ordered a manual version of the InvisiHitch today, should have it by the end of the week. This one, if you're only going to use it for a bike rack, is less expensive and doesn't require any wiring at all. In the process, they told me that they've submitted the hitch to BMW and it may become an OEM approved item. It is in some other countries (their parent company is in South Africa). They have a plug and play wiring harness if you actually want to tow a trailer, but at least for now, they are not allowed by BMW to ship it...they can install it at their factory site on a customer car, though. Eventually, that may end up a part # that can be ordered, and I might consider it, but don't plan to tow anything. Also note that the square receiver is not designed to hook up a trailer...it is less robust, and only designed for the load of a bike rack or similar item. If you want to tow a trailer, you need to get the ball hitch.
Now comes the decision on whether I try to take my bumper cover off to install the thing, or pay a pro to do it. It doesn't sound all that hard, but if you do mess up and break a tab, the only real fix is to replace it, which is FAR more than the cost to have BMW install it. At their factory, they say it takes them about an hour. The BMW dealer figured about 1.5 hours, but they'd reprogram the car to take car of the parking sensors, so I'll probably go that way.
I've got the mudflaps on, and those need to be removed to get to the screws for the bumper cover. Hassle is, the back edge is held on with a strip of double-stick, permanent tape.
I'll post a picture or two when I get it installed.
I've thought about using some magnets to hold the cutout piece in place to cover the hole required on the bottom of the car where the receiver or ball assembly fits when not installed. Will have to see once I get into it.
If anyone has one already installed on their GT, I'd like to hear your thoughts, and whether you installed it or had it installed. Other than cutting a piece out of the black plastic on the bottom, the rest of the installation is all unscrew this, replace that, using exiting holes...no welding, bending, drilling, or other cutting. And, if not using it, you'd have to crawl on the ground to see the changes made to the vehicle. Neat...
Now comes the decision on whether I try to take my bumper cover off to install the thing, or pay a pro to do it. It doesn't sound all that hard, but if you do mess up and break a tab, the only real fix is to replace it, which is FAR more than the cost to have BMW install it. At their factory, they say it takes them about an hour. The BMW dealer figured about 1.5 hours, but they'd reprogram the car to take car of the parking sensors, so I'll probably go that way.
I've got the mudflaps on, and those need to be removed to get to the screws for the bumper cover. Hassle is, the back edge is held on with a strip of double-stick, permanent tape.
I'll post a picture or two when I get it installed.
I've thought about using some magnets to hold the cutout piece in place to cover the hole required on the bottom of the car where the receiver or ball assembly fits when not installed. Will have to see once I get into it.
If anyone has one already installed on their GT, I'd like to hear your thoughts, and whether you installed it or had it installed. Other than cutting a piece out of the black plastic on the bottom, the rest of the installation is all unscrew this, replace that, using exiting holes...no welding, bending, drilling, or other cutting. And, if not using it, you'd have to crawl on the ground to see the changes made to the vehicle. Neat...